CADDIS Trout Day scheduled for Dec. 2The CADDIS Fly Fishing Club, Russellville Recreation and Parks Department and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) are again partnering to bring seasonal trout fishing to Russellville. The AGFC will stock Pleasant View Park pond with 1,200 Rainbow Trout for "Trout Day 2017," which will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 2. This will be an opportunity for folks of all ages to "catch a limit of trout in Russellville." The AGFC...

River Hawks receive postseason honorsRiver Hawks receive postseason honors Community Christian School of Russellville senior outside hitter Emily Boone and freshman setter Ally Russell were named to the All-District team in the Arkansas Association of Christian Schools Conference last week. Russell was also selected to the All-State Team and was the only freshman selected in the AACS Conference. This is the first time Community Christian School has had players selected to the All...

Cyclones beat Jonesboro, advance to quarterfinalsJust about everything that could go wrong during the Russellville Cyclones' 36-29 win over the Jonesboro Hurricane did Friday night. Then again, quite a bit went right for Russellville in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs at Cyclone Stadium. Russellville (6-5) was guilty of three interceptions, two fumbles, a safety and a multitude of untimely penalties, but also returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, scooped up a blocked field ...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
sports@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Sand Lizards turn over RaidersDARDANELLE -- The Riverview Raiders committed five turnovers, four of which led to Sand Lizard touchdowns as Dardanelle beat Riverview 42-10 in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs Friday night at Keenan Field. The Sand Lizards (9-3) will travel to Joe T. Robinson next week in the second round of the playoffs. Two Raiders fumbles in the first two minutes of the game gave Dardanelle a lead they would never relinquish. Riverview (7-4) ...

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BY SEAN INGRAM
sean@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Danville beats Poyen, 36-6, in 2A clashDANVILLE -- The Little Johns just couldn't wait after a month off the football field. Danville's Quinten Tolbert took off on the first play of Friday night's 2A state playoff game and went 64 for the touchdown as the Little Johns claimed a 36-6 first-round win over the visiting Poyen Indians. Preston Donnell, who completed 17-of-23 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns, got his first when he connected with Trent Cathey on a 12-yard scoring...

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BY SEAN INGRAM
sean@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Suns finish regular season undefeatedIn front of a Great American Conference record crowd of 1,492, No. 9 Arkansas Tech (32-0, 16-0 GAC) defeated Ouachita Baptist (19-11, 9-7 GAC), 3-2, on Thursday to finish the 2017 regular season undefeated. Up next Arkansas Tech clinched the top seed in the GAC Championships in Hot Springs next week. The Suns will open the single-elimination conference tournament at 5 p.m. Thursday in Bank of the Ozarks Arena. How it happened Ouachita opened t...

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ATU Athletic CommunicationsThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

ATU to honor veterans at football gameArkansas Tech University will take the opportunity to spotlight the contributions made by those who have served in the U.S. Armed Services with a variety of Veterans Day tributes before and during its home football game today. Kickoff for the football game between ATU and Harding University is scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field. Admission will be free for all current and former military members. Fans are encouraged to...

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BY SAM STRASNER
ATU Director of Media RelationsThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Red Devils show no mercy to Panthers, 43-6ATKINS -- The Red Devils scored on their first possession of the game and never let off the gas as they raced past the visiting Yellville-Summit Panthers 43-6 in the first round of the 3A state playoffs Friday night at Sorrels Stadium at Lemley Field. Atkins, which improved to 9-2 for the second straight season, will travel to Elkins in the second round next week. Red Devils senior Tyler Haney rushed 27 yards for a touchdown to get Atkins on t...

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BY SEAN INGRAM
sean@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Storms collide in 6A playoffs opening roundThere's a storm a'brewing at Cyclone Stadium tonight as the Russellville Cyclones host the Jonesboro Hurricane in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs. "We're really excited," first-year head coach Jeff Weaver said. "We are playing our best football right now, and the kids are working really hard in practice. We're excited to get another week of practices, but there are no guarantees in the playoffs. They have to play great to have a...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
sports@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

GAC title, NCAA playoffs berth on the line SaturdayArkansas Tech University has an opportunity this weekend to join the fraternity of football programs that have won a Great American Conference championship. The Wonder Boys' potential initiation into that group will involve significant input from the three current members of the club. Arkansas Tech (8-2 overall, 8-2 GAC) will host defending GAC champion Harding University (7-3, 7-3) for a 2 p.m. regular season finale at Thone Stadium at Buerkl...

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BY SAM STRASNER
ATU Director of Media RelationsThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Cyclones basketball looks to get physicalRussellville Cyclones head basketball coach Matt Hall wants his team to get "gritty and nasty" as they play through the 5A/6A-Region 1 Conference this season. The problem, Hall said, is Russellville's competition in the blended 5A/6A conference is nothing like the competition they'll face down the road in the 6A-West Conference Tournament. "They're more physical and more athletic and just a different style," Hall said. "So the answer to that f...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
sports@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Lady Wildcats top Lamar in season openerCOAL HILL -- The Hector Lady Wildcats opened the Johnson County Westside Classic with a 32-28 win over the Lamar Lady Warriors on Monday. "The key to the game tonight was rebounding," said first-year head coach Luke McAnulty. "Also, defensively, the girls did a good job of holding Lamar to only 28 points. We also had good play in the post area." Hector led 5-2 after the first quarter and 20-10 at halftime. After the third quarter, the Lady Wil...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
sports@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

31 and counting: Suns clinch GAC titleSEARCY -- With a 20-18 win in the fifth set, No. 9 Arkansas Tech defeated Harding, 3-2, on Tuesday to win the Great American Conference regular-season championship. The title is the third regular-season championship over the past four seasons for the Golden Suns, and it is their fourth since the conference formed in 2011. Up next Arkansas Tech (31-0, 15-0 GAC) returns home for the final match of the regular season, as the Golden Suns host Ouac...

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ATU Athletic CommunicationsThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Local athletes named on awards watch listLITTLE ROCK -- The watch list for the 2017 Farm Bureau Insurance Awards, which includes several local athletes and coaches, was announced on Monday. The awards are an honor for Arkansas' top offensive player, defensive player and coach of the year for each classification. The awards are selected by Hooten's Arkansas Football and will be presented at a Dec. 11 banquet. The full watch list consists of: 7A/6A OFFENSE Mason Schucker, Searcy Connor...

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Courier sports staffThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Jr. Lady Pirates beat Pottsville in overtimeDOVER -- The Pottsville Junior Lady Apaches opened their basketball season with a 31-28 loss in overtime to the Dover Junior Lady Pirates in the first round of the Pope County Tournament. Dover took an early 7-5 lead in the first quarter and led 10-7 at halftime. The Junior Lady Apaches outscored the Junior Lady Apaches 12-9 in the third quarter to tie the game 19-19. After the fourth quarter, the score was tied 26-26. Dover outscored Pottsvil...

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Courier sports staffThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

RSD breaks ground on indoor practice facilityThe Russellville School District broke ground on an indoor practice facility on Tuesday. The facility -- which includes 60 yards of turf, a new locker room, a new weight room, an indoor pole vaulting pit and a large meeting room for dissecting film -- will benefit the football team, soccer teams and track and field teams. "I'm excited for our coaches and for our student athletes in that they will have a facility they can use year-round," Russe...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
sports@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley